Ahead of the draft, Browns send out an offensive lineman to the Titans
In addition to gaining a seventh-round pick ahead of the NFL Draft, the CC traded offensive tackle Leroy Watson IV to the Tennessee Titans on Friday.
The draft, which will take place in Detroit from April 24 to 27, will select the Browns with the 227th overall pick.
Six selections remain in the 2024 draft for the Browns. They will have a second pick in the seventh round as a result of the trade. They have choices in rounds two, three, five, and six as well. Cleveland’s 2022 first-round pick remains unclaimed as a consequence of the Deshaun Watson trade. In exchange for Deshaun Watson, the Browns traded the Houston Texans three first-round selections.
On November 2, Leroy Watson was added by the Browns to the active roster from the 49ers’ practice squad. Watson had to step up when Cleveland lost both of its starting tackles, Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr. He participated in seven games, logging 28 special teams and 55 offensive snaps. Throughout his seven games with Cleveland, Watson did not receive an offensive penalty.
The Browns should have a strong offensive line position if everyone stays healthy. Conklin and Wills ought to be prepared for the new year. Dawand Jones, a fourth-round pick in 2023, also demonstrated his ability to start when necessary. Last season, Jones started nine games and received an overall Pro Football Focus rating of 64.7.
The Browns have made two trades this summer. Through a deal with the Denver Broncos in March, Cleveland acquired wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
Over the years, Browns general manager Andrew Berry has moved around in the draft with a strong hand. He now has some additional ammunition to work with after obtaining a seventh-round pick.
The Browns don’t have a first-round pick, as was previously mentioned. At No. 54, Cleveland will select their first pick, and Berry intends for them to be “flexible” in their selections.
Berry stated in March that “you have to be flexible because you can’t dictate the draft at 54.” “I don’t think anyone anticipated that we would turn a corner when we took Martin [Emerson] when he was 22. However, you just cannot be so inflexible or dogmatic. We don’t necessarily view of the draft as [addressing] a need, as I’ve already explained to you all. We view it more as a long-term commitment to the roster.
The wide receiver and defensive line are two areas that the Browns need to improve.
The Browns have worked on contract restructuring in addition to transactions to free up cap space. Nick Chubb was the most recent restructuring; he recently recovered from a devastating knee ailment.
Chubb will receive a reduced base pay of $11.75 million in exchange for incentives.
Chubb has had two knee operations and is currently recovering. Although a specific date is still unknown, he is anticipated to play at some point in the upcoming campaign. This month, Chubb is beginning to increase his workload in anticipation of his return.
